ASTM D422-63(1998)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 422 – 63 (Reapproved 1998)
Standard Test Method for
Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 422; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope stirring device in which a suitably mounted electric motor turns
a vertical shaft at a speed of not less than 10 000 rpm without
1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination
load. The shaft shall be equipped with a replaceable stirring
of the distribution of particle sizes in soils. The distribution of
paddle made of metal, plastic, or hard rubber, as shown in Fig.
particle sizes larger than 75 μm (retained on the No. 200 sieve)
1. The shaft shall be of such length that the stirring paddle will
is determined by sieving, while the distribution of particle sizes
3 1
operate not less than ⁄4 in. (19.0 mm) nor more than 1 ⁄2 in.
smaller than 75 μm is determined by a sedimentation process,
(38.1 mm) above the bottom of the dispersion cup. A special
using a hydrometer to secure the necessary data (Note 1 and
dispersion cup conforming to either of the designs shown in
Note 2).
Fig. 2 shall be provided to hold the sample while it is being
NOTE 1—Separation may be made on the No. 4 (4.75-mm), No. 40
dispersed.
(425-μm), or No. 200 (75-μm) sieve instead of the No. 10. For whatever
3.2.2 Apparatus B shall consist of an air-jet dispersion cup
sieve used, the size shall be indicated in the report.
(Note 3) conforming to the general details shown in Fig. 3
NOTE 2—Two types of dispersion devices are provided: (1) a high-
(Note 4 and Note 5).
speed mechanical stirrer, and (2) air dispersion. Extensive investigations
indicate that air-dispersion devices produce a more positive dispersion of
NOTE 3—The amount of air required by an air-jet dispersion cup is of
plastic soils below the 20-μm size and appreciably less degradation on all
the order of 2 ft /min; some small air compressors are not capable of
sizes when used with sandy soils. Because of the definite advantages
supplying sufficient air to operate a cup.
favoring air dispersion, its use is recommended. The results from the two
NOTE 4—Another air-type dispersion device, known as a dispersion
types of devices differ in magnitude, depending upon soil type, leading to
tube, developed by Chu and Davidson at Iowa State College, has been
marked differences in particle size distribution, especially for sizes finer
shown to give results equivalent to those secured by the air-jet dispersion
than 20 μm.
cups. When it is used, soaking of the sample can be done in the
sedimentation cylinder, thus eliminating the need for transferring the
2. Referenced Documents
slurry. When the air-dispersion tube is used, it shall be so indicated in the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
report.
NOTE 5—Water may condense in air lines when not in use. This water
D 421 Practice for Dry Preparation of Soil Samples for
must be removed, either by using a water trap on the air line, or by
Particle-Size Analysis and Determination of Soil Con-
2 blowing the water out of the line before using any of the air for dispersion
stants
purposes.
E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur-
3.3 Hydrometer—An ASTM hydrometer, graduated to read
poses
in either specific gravity of the suspension or grams per litre of
E 100 Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
suspension, and conforming to the requirements for hydrom-
3. Apparatus
eters 151H or 152H in Specifications E 100. Dimensions of
both hydrometers are the same, the scale being the only item of
3.1 Balances—A balance sensitive to 0.01 g for weighing
difference.
the material passing a No. 10 (2.00-mm) sieve, and a balance
3.4 Sedimentation Cylinder—A glass cylinder essentially 18
sensitive to 0.1 % of the mass of the sample to be weighed for
in. (457 mm) in height and 2 ⁄2 in. (63.5 mm) in diameter, and
weighing the material retained on a No. 10 sieve.
marked for a volume of 1000 mL. The inside diameter shall be
3.2 Stirring Apparatus—Either apparatus A or B may be
such that the 1000-mL mark is 36 6 2 cm from the bottom on
used.
the inside.
3.2.1 Apparatus A shall consist of a mechanically operated
3.5 Thermometer—A thermometer accurate to 1°F (0.5°C).
3.6 Sieves—A series of sieves, of square-mesh woven-wire
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-18 on Soil
cloth, conforming to the requirements of Specification E 11. A
and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture,
Plasticity, and Density Characteristics of Soils. full set of sieves includes the following (Note 6):
Current edition approved Nov. 21, 1963. Originally published 1935. Replaces
D 422 – 62.
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08. Detailed working drawings for this cup are available at a nominal cost from the
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03. Conshohocken, PA 19428. Order Adjunct No. ADJD0422.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 422
Metric Equivalents
1 3
in. 0.001 0.049 0.203 ⁄2 ⁄4
mm 0.03 1.24 5.16 12.7 19.0
FIG. 1 Detail of Stirring Paddles
3.7 Water Bath or Constant-Temperature Room—A water
bath or constant-temperature room for maintaining the soil
suspension at a constant temperature during the hydrometer
analysis. A satisfactory water tank is an insulated tank that
maintains the temperature of the suspension at a convenient
constant temperature at or near 68°F (20°C). Such a device is
illustrated in Fig. 4. In cases where the work is performed in a
room at an automatically controlled constant temperature, the
water bath is not necessary.
3.8 Beaker—A beaker of 250-mL capacity.
3.9 Timing Device—A watch or clock with a second hand.
4. Dispersing Agent
4.1 A solution of sodium hexametaphosphate (sometimes
called sodium metaphosphate) shall be used in distilled or
demineralized water, at the rate of 40 g of sodium
hexametaphosphate/litre of solution (Note 7).
NOTE 7—Solutions of this salt, if acidic, slowly revert or hydrolyze
back to the orthophosphate form with a resultant decrease in dispersive
action. Solutions should be prepared frequently (at least once a month) or
adjusted to pH of 8 or 9 by means of sodium carbonate. Bottles containing
Metric Equivalents
solutions should have the date of preparation marked on them.
in. 1.3 2.6 3.75
mm 33 66 95.2
4.2 All water used shall be either distilled or demineralized
FIG. 2 Dispersion Cups of Apparatus water. The water for a hydrometer test shall be brought to the
temperature that is expected to prevail during the hydrometer
test. For example, if the sedimentation cylinder is to be placed
3-in. (75-mm) No. 10 (2.00-mm)
in the water bath, the distilled or demineralized water to be
2-in. (50-mm) No. 20 (850-μm)
1 ⁄2-in. (37.5-mm) No. 40 (425-μm) used shall be brought to the temperature of the controlled water
1-in. (25.0-mm) No. 60 (250-μm)
bath; or, if the sedimentation cylinder is used in a room with
⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) No. 140 (106-μm)
3 controlled temperature, the water for the test shall be at the
⁄8-in. (9.5-mm) No. 200 (75-μm)
No. 4 (4.75-mm) temperature of the room. The basic temperature for the
hydrometer test is 68°F (20°C). Small variations of tempera-
NOTE 6—A set of sieves giving uniform spacing of points for the graph,
ture do not introduce differences that are of practical signifi-
as required in Section 17, may be used if desired. This set consists of the
following sieves: cance and do not prevent the use of corrections derived as
3-in. (75-mm) No. 16 (1.18-mm) prescribed.
1 ⁄2-in. (37.5-mm) No. 30 (600-μm)
⁄4-in. (19.0-mm) No. 50 (300-μm)
5. Test Sample
⁄8-in. (9.5-mm) No. 100 (150-μm)
No. 4 (4.75-mm) No. 200 (75-μm) 5.1 Prepare the test sample for mechanical analysis as
No. 8 (2.36-mm)
outlined in Practice D 421. During the preparation procedure
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 422
FIG. 3 Air-Jet Dispersion Cups of Apparatus B
Metric Equivalents
7 1
in. ⁄8 13 6 ⁄4 14 37
mm 22.2 25.4 76.2 158.2 356 940
FIG. 4 Insulated Water Bath
the sample is divided into two portions. One portion contains 5.2 Provision is made in Section 5 of Practice D 421 for
only particles retained on the No. 10 (2.00-mm) sieve while the weighing of the air-dry soil selected for purpose of tests, the
other portion contains only particles passing the No. 10 sieve. separation of the soil on the No. 10 sieve by dry-sieving and
The mass of air-dried soil selected for purpose of tests, as washing, and the weighing of the washed and dried fraction
prescribed in Practice D 421, shall be sufficient to yield retained on the No. 10 sieve. From these two masses the
quantities for mechanical analysis as follows: percentages retained and passing the No. 10 sieve can be
5.1.1 The size of the portion retained on the No. 10 sieve calculated in accordance with 12.1.
shall depend on the maximum size of particle, according to the
NOTE 8—A check on the mass values and the thoroughness of pulveri-
following schedule:
zation of the clods may be secured by weighing the portion passing the
Nominal Diameter of Approximate Minimum
No. 10 sieve and adding this value to the mass of the washed and
Largest Particles, Mass of Portion, g
oven-dried portion retained on the No. 10 sieve.
in. (mm)
⁄8 (9.5) 500
SIEVE ANALYSIS OF PORTION RETAINED ON NO.
⁄4 (19.0) 1000
1 (25.4) 2000
1 ⁄2 (38.1) 3000
(2.00-mm) SIEVE
2 (50.8) 4000
3 (76.2) 5000
6. Procedure
5.1.2 The size of the portion passing the No. 10 sieve shall
be approximately 115 g for sandy soils and approximately 65 6.1 Separate the portion retained on the No. 10 (2.00-mm)
g for silt and clay soils. sieve into a series of fractions using the 3-in. (75-mm), 2-in.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 422
1 3
(50-mm), 1 ⁄2-in. (37.5-mm), 1-in. (25.0-mm), ⁄4-in. (19.0- formed on the stem. For hydrometer 151H the composite
mm), ⁄8-in. (9.5-mm), No. 4 (4.75-mm), and No. 10 sieves, or correction is the difference between this reading and one; for
as many as may be needed depending on the sample, or upon hydrometer 152H it is the difference between the reading and
the specifications for the material under test. zero. Bring the liquid and the hydrometer to the other tempera-
6.2 Conduct the sieving operation by means of a lateral and ture to be used, and secure the composite correction as before.
vertical motion of the sieve, accompanied by a jarring action in
order to keep the sample moving continuously over the surface 8. Hygroscopic Moisture
of the sieve. In no case turn or manipulate fragments in the
8.1 When the sample is weighed for the hydrometer test,
sample through the sieve by hand. Continue sieving until not
weigh out an auxiliary portion of from 10 to 15 g in a small
more than 1 mass % of the residue on a sieve passes that sieve
metal or glass container, dry the sample to a constant mass in
during 1 min of sieving. When mechanical sieving is used, test
an oven at 230 6 9°F (110 6 5°C), and weigh again. Record
the thoroughness of sieving by using the hand method of
the masses.
sieving as described above.
6.3 Determine the mass of each fraction on a balance
9. Dispersion of Soil Sample
conforming to the requirements of 3.1. At the end of weighing,
9.1 When the soil is mostly of the clay and silt sizes, weigh
the sum of the masses retained on all the sieves used should
out a sample of air-dry soil of approximately 50 g. When the
equal closely the original mass of the quantity sieved.
soil is mostly sand the sample should be approximately 100 g.
9.2 Place the sample in the 250-mL beaker and cover with
HYDROMETER AND SIEVE ANALYSIS OF PORTION
125 mL of sodium hexametaphosphate solution (40 g/L). Stir
PASSING THE NO. 10 (2.00-mm) SIEVE
until the soil is thoroughly wetted. Allow to soak for at least 16
h.
7. Determination of Composite Correction for
9.3 At the end of the soaking period, disperse the sample
Hydrometer Reading
further, using either stirring apparatus A or B. If stirring
7.1 Equations for percentages of soil remaining in suspen-
apparatus A is used, transfer the soil-water slurry from the
sion, as given in 14.3, are based on the use of distilled or
beaker into the special dispersion cup shown in Fig. 2, washing
demineralized water. A dispersing agent is used in the water,
any residue from the beaker into the cup with distilled or
however, and the specific gravity of the resulting liquid is
demineralized water (Note 9). Add distilled or demineralized
appreciably greater than that of distilled or demineralized
water, if necessary, so that the cup is more than half full. Stir
water.
for a period of 1 min.
7.1.1 Both soil hydrometers are calibrated at 68°F (20°C),
and variations in temperature from this standard temperature
NOTE 9—A large size syringe is a convenient device for handling the
produce inaccuracies in the actual hydrometer readings. The water in the washing operation. Other devices include the wash-water
bottle and a hose with nozzle connected to a pressurized distilled water
amount of the inaccuracy increases as the variation from the
tank.
standard temperature increases.
7.1.2 Hydrometers are graduated by the manufacturer to be
9.4 If stirring apparatus B (Fig. 3) is used, remove the cover
read at the bottom of the meniscus formed by the liquid on the
cap and connect the cup to a compressed air supply by means
stem. Since it is not possible to secure readings of soil
of a rubber hose. A air gage must be on the line between the
suspensions at the bottom of the meniscus, readings must be
cup and the control valve. Open the control valve so that the
taken at the top and a correction applied.
gage indicates 1 psi (7 kPa) pressure (Note 10). Transfer the
7.1.3 The net amount of the corrections for the three items
soil-water slurry from the beaker to the air-jet dispersion cup
enumerated is designated as the composite correction, and
...